Beckinsale, Speedman in Underworld

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By Brian Linder

According to today's Hollywood Reporter, actors Kate Beckinsale (Pearl Harbor, The Last Days of Disco) and Scott Speedman (Duets, TV's Felicity) have signed on to star in Lakeshore Entertainment's Underworld.

THR describes the action/romance as "a modern-day Romeo and Juliet story in the world of vampires and werewolves." The tale is set against the backdrop of a centuries-long struggle between werewolves and vampires. The bloody war has reached new heights, underneath the streets of New York City, and a young werewolf (Speedman) is determined to somehow end the conflict. Beckinsale will play high-ranking vampire Selene, "an elegant warrior with the strength of 10 men," (quoting IMDb). As you might expect, Selene sets out to discover the origins of the conflict, and she falls in love with Speedman's werewolf character in the process.

Underworld will be directed by first-time helmer Len Wiseman, and is set to be distributed by Screen Gems.

Stuntman-turned-scribe Danny McBride penned the screenplay, which was based on a story he conceived along with Wiseman and another stuntman/actor, Kevin Grevioux.

The film is set to start shooting in early September in Eastern Europe.